Hyderabad’s art scene is evolving for the better. Factors such as a growing interest in art, the launch of new galleries, and artists experimenting with diverse mediums and styles have all contributed to this transformation. However, the landscape was not as vibrant two decades ago, when galleries in the city struggled to sustain themselves due to a lack of patrons. Avani Rao Gandra and Hanumantha Rao, founders of Iconart Gallery and Gallery Space, reflect on their experiences and how they navigated this journey.
Avani Rao Gandra
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“Passion is a cliché word, but I can’t think of a better one,” says Avani Rao Gandra, an artist, photographer, curator, PhD researcher, and founder of Iconart Gallery on Road No. 12 in Banjara Hills. As Iconart completes 15 years, Avani reflects on the journey with a sense of accomplishment.
The gallery was founded in January 2009, a time when many galleries across India were shutting down due to the global economic recession. “It was a decade-long downturn for art galleries, but artists continued to produce great work,” recalls Avani, adding, “The COVID-19 pandemic brought another slump in artistic activities, causing commercial losses. Many artists returned to their villages to pursue their ancestral professions in agriculture.”
Over the past 15 years, Iconart has hosted approximately 175 exhibitions, including 80 solo shows featuring artists exhibiting their work for the first time. The gallery’s mission has been to engage with contemporary art, raise awareness, and provide a platform for young artists. In the past, contemporary art practices were relatively new to Hyderabad, and Avani envisioned the space as a platform to amplify diverse voices and address contemporary social issues. “Today’s young artists are exposed to a variety of artistic practices, but back then, the audience was not even ready to accept contemporary paintings, let alone performance art.”
Terracotta workshop at Manpreeth Singh’s studio by members of Art ICON
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With a limited gallery space — just 700 square feet — Avani took some of her curatorial projects to public spaces. Her PhD in Contemporary Andhra Painting helped her bring ideas to life, addressing themes related to women, the environment, urban life, the girl child, and more recently, spirituality.
Owning the gallery space meant that financial constraints were not as pressing, but initially, she faced challenges due to the unwillingness of people to appreciate experimental and innovative art practices and the disconnect between artists pursuing modern, contemporary art and a society accustomed to decorative and illustrative art. “Galleries were perceived as exclusive spaces, catering to a limited audience. But today, young people in Hyderabad are curious and open to change in all forms.”
Her art journey continues with new ventures. In March, she will collaborate with the Society to Save Rocks to raise awareness about heritage and environmental conservation through Painting the Rocks, an installation project. She is also excited about her newly launched group, Art Icon, which was founded in November 2024. Designed to encourage the experience of art and aesthetic pursuits, the group meets once a month at artists’ studios, attends workshops, and hosts collaborative events.
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Hanumantha Rao
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This year marks a significant milestone for Gallery Space as it enters its silver jubilee year. A sense of pride is evident in founder Hanumantha Rao’s tone as he reflects, “It is not easy to run an art gallery in a rented space. I took this challenge as an opportunity to succeed.”
Thota Vaikuntam at Gallery Space
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As an MFA graduate, Hanumantha Rao wanted to exhibit his work in Hyderabad in 2000 but found limited avenues. “Young artists had to either go to Delhi or Mumbai, as Hyderabad had only two galleries at the time — Surya Gallery, started by the late artist Surya Prakash, and Minaaz Art Gallery, founded by Shehnaz Arni,” he recalls. Determined to create opportunities for emerging artists, he collaborated with acquaintances and artist friends Laxman Aelay and Fawad Tamkanat to launch Gallery Space. He set aside his own artistic pursuits to focus on running the gallery, which moved to its current location in Banjara Hills 22 years ago.
“The gallery was originally housed in an adjacent building for nine years before we relocated here 12 years ago,” he says. To sustain the business, Hanumantha built strong connections with established artists. While he curates solo and group exhibitions, he also buys and sells artworks from renowned artists such as Thota Vaikuntam, Paresh Maity, Jayasri Burman, and Paramdeep Singh, catering to art collectors and enthusiasts. He acknowledges that most of his income comes from these sales
Visitors at an art show at Gallery Space
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The 2,200-square-foot gallery has hosted several notable events, including a week-long art camp called Phir Milenge… at Taj Krishna in 2007, featuring artists like Krishen Khanna, Suhas Roy, and Shiva Prasanna. However, he is aware of the gallery’s limitations in expanding beyond exhibitions to include workshops or artist residencies. “I need substantial funds monthly to run the gallery, support my family, and pay my employees,” he says. Hanumantha credits Hyderabad-based entrepreneur M M Reddy for playing a significant role in the gallery’s journey. “His passion for art has been a huge support. He has collected many works from the gallery and continues to do so.” Reflecting on the city’s evolving art scene, he notes, “It was once difficult to sell even a painting worth ₹10,000, but now people are eager to acquire artworks, regardless of the price,” says Hanumantha, who recently sold an artwork of ₹2, 00,000
Looking ahead, Gallery Space is set to expand, with a new branch soon opening in Nanakramguda, Hyderabad’s financial district. “ I’m glad it’s finally happening in this milestone year,” he says.
Published – February 11, 2025 12:18 pm IST
The Hindu MetroPlus
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